Former Royal British Legion facilities in Crowland to be turned into child nursery and community hall after successful planning application

A former Royal British Legion building is set to begin a new life as a nursery and community hall.

The 19th century building, which used to host Crowland’s British Legion branch, will have its use changed after a successful planning application from Sovereign Properties in Peterborough.

In August last year, a bid to turn it into an Asset of Community Value was rejected.

That came after encouragement from district and county councillor Nigel Pepper, who sprung into action after the building closed in mid-2020. However, plans will now see a children’s nursery and community hall built at the site on Chapel Street - as well as external alterations being made.

South Holland District Council granted permission for the plans on the condition that developments begin within three years.

The council’s decision notice states that adequate pick-up, drop-off and parking spots will be necessary.

Conifer trees on the site will also be retained to ‘ensure that the development is adequately landscaped’.

Local farmer Daniel Abbott, who last year spearheaded the recovery of an amphibious Buffalo vehicle used during the 1947 floods, has voiced frustrations that the British Legion building wasn’t able to be saved by Crowland Parish Council.

“The British Legion hall is the only hall left in Crowland that the community could have used for functions, weddings, birthdays or anything like that,” he said.

“You have a lovely ground floor, bar and stage in the biggest part of the building. Now they’re converting the biggest part of the building and turning the back of the building into a little hall.

“It’s a show of the times. Social media has taken over everything - people don’t go out to meet and greet any more.

“In yesteryear, if you had nothing to do then the hall would put a function on. You’d go along and have a few beers, have a chat, meet people. You don’t see that any more.”

Mr Abbott is currently planning to build a museum in the Crowland area to house the Buffalo. He added that if he is successful, he will consider constructing a new community hall inside it.